How To Get Your Newborn To Breastfeed

What Are The Benefits Of Formula Feeding

Formula is a safe and healthy option for feeding your baby. It provides your baby with the food they need if you choose not to breastfeed, have low milk supply, or are unable to breastfeed.

Formula feeding is also a good option if youre away from your baby for short or long periods of time your babys caretaker can feed your baby formula.

Sleepy Baby Why And What To Do

What is normal?

Your newborn baby needs to breastfeed effectively at least 812 times in 24 hours to gain weight and stimulate your milk production. Most babies nurse every 23 hours from the start of one feed to the next, with one longer sleep of 45 hours. Cluster nursing is also common, where a baby breastfeeds on and off for several hours, especially in the evening. As well as breastfeeding and sleeping, your baby will probably also have periods of quiet alertness. Your newborn needs to nurse actively from one or both breasts at each feed. Offer the second breast after he seems to have finished at the first, although he may not want both sides at every feed. Look at our page Beginning Breastfeeding for more information.

Normal newborn feeding cues

Offer feeds generously. Dont make your baby wait until he is desperateby that point he is unlikely to feed well. In order of urgency, signs your baby is ready to feed include:

• Mouth movements, including smacking or licking his lips.
• Sucking on lips, tongue, hands, fingers, toes, toys, or clothing.
• Rooting, head bobbing or nuzzling against whoever is holding him.
• Fidgeting or squirming a lot.
• Fussing.
• Cryinga late sign of hunger.

Why is my baby sleepy?

Good attachment

Copyright Suzanne Tobin

Seek skilled help early on if you are finding breastfeeding difficult or uncomfortable.

Wake your sleepy baby to nurse

Other ideas

Biological nurturing

Breast compression

If your baby isnt responding

Breastfeeding Sleepy And Reluctant Babies

There are lots of reasons why your baby may be reluctant to feed. It doesnt mean you arent doing a good job as a mum. Dont put too much pressure on yourself to know all the answers straight away and speak to your midwife or health visitor if you have any questions or concerns, or are looking for ways to make feeding more comfortable.

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How Does Breastfeeding Compare To Formula

Formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk for those who choose to use it or need to because of medical reasons.

Baby formula sold in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. While formula doesnt match natural breast milk completely, it does have a rich assortment of:

• vitamins
• fats
• carbohydrates

This is nutrition your infant will use to grow and thrive. Mothers who choose to use formula can rest assured their babies are well fed.

A babys body doesnt process formula as quickly as it does breast milk. That may allow you or another caregiver more time between feedings.

However, formula can be costly. Depending on the type and quantity your baby uses, a months supply could cost more than $100.

Is Baby Getting Enough Milk

With breastfeeding, its hard to know precisely how much milk your baby is getting with each feeding. Instead of trying to measure ounces, look for signs in other places:

• Your baby makes plenty of dirty diapers. Babies who are getting enough milk have 6 to 8 wet diapers per day.
• Your baby is gaining weight. After an initial weight drop in the first few days after delivery, your baby should begin steadily gaining weight. If the weight continues to fall, you may not be producing enough milk. Talk with your babys pediatrician or a lactation consultant if baby isnt gaining weight.
• Your baby shows no signs of hunger. Babies who are fed are content. If your baby shows hunger cues more frequently, they may not be getting enough milk in each session.

Heres a quick breakdown of how many diapers cue a well-fed baby:

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Start Out With A Slow

Milk flows differently from a bottle than it does from your breast. If you use a nipple with a fast flow, your baby could have trouble swallowing the milk quickly enough, which could lead to gagging and coughing. When you’re bottle feeding a breastfed baby, start by offering them a bottle with a slow-flow teat. Finding a teat that resembles a nipple can also make feeding easier for them. You’ll also need to get into a good position to feed your baby.

If You’re Giving Your Baby Formula Make Sure It’s The Right One For Them

There are many types of infant formula available. It’s very important that you choose the right formula for your baby. Keep in mind that there are different formulas available for different age groups, premature babies, and babies with food allergies. Ensuring that you’re giving your baby the right formula will keep them well fed and healthy.

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What Are The Disadvantages Of Formula Feeding

Infant formula doesnt contain the natural antibodies found in breast milk that provide your baby added protection against infection and illness. Formula can also be expensive. The WIC Program provides support for parents who need access to formula and health care, or help with breastfeeding.

Youll also need supplies to feed your baby formula, like bottles and nipples. These supplies and formula can sometimes be costly.

Between Days 6 And 10 Start Settling Into A More Predictable Breastfeeding Routine

Because your baby is likely receiving more milk than she did before, you may notice a more regular pattern of nursing, sleeping and alert periods after your milk comes in. If your baby likes to suckle for comfort, you may find that she prefers to cluster feed at certain times of day, meaning shell nurse almost continuously for a few hours, rather than nursing only once every two to three hours.

By this time, your baby should be producing four or more yellowish bowel movements and six or more wet diapers every 24 hours. Consult the A.A.P.s breastfeeding guide to help ensure you and your baby are still on the right breastfeeding path. Its also important to continue to find time to rest when your baby is sleeping.

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Calm Baby Before Feeding

One of the most vital things you can do is to calm your baby down before attempting to breastfeed. If you keep on trying while they are upset, it may only upset them more.

Before breastfeeding, try rocking, or letting your baby suck on a pacifier or your finger. Take them in a dark room or for a walk through the neighborhood. Sometimes rocking or walking your baby will help them burp or relieve gas.

Why Wont My Newborn Baby Breastfeed

Sometimes, newborn babies struggle to latch on to breastfeed after theyre born. It can be worrying for new parents when this happens you might think somethings wrong.

There may be a simple explanation. This information could help you find your own solution, or decide if you need further support.

Some of the more common reasons for newborn babies finding it difficult to latch onto the breast could be:

• a difficult labour or birth your baby might feel sore or have a headache if the mother has had interventions in labour or if they were born very quickly
• medication used during labour anaesthesia, epidural or pethidine can make your baby sleepy or groggy
• your baby being separated from you after birth even for a few minutes
• discomfort due to a birth injury or bruising
• swallowing mucus at birth can make your baby feel congested, nauseous or uncomfortable
• an early unpleasant experience of attempting to breastfeed, such as being forced onto the breast
• the baby might have tongue-tie

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How To Get Baby Back To Breast

Sometimes breastfeeding doesnt get off to a good start and before you know it your baby is taking more and more bottles and wont breastfeed at all. Getting a baby back to breastfeeding after a period of bottle feeding can take some patience and perseverance, but it is definitely possible. If your breast milk supply has dropped then in addition to getting baby from bottle to breast you may have to build your milk supply or relactate. This article reviews how to get baby back to breast after a period of bottle feeding.

Dealing With Leaking Breasts

Sometimes, breast milk may leak unexpectedly from your nipples.

Wearing breast pads will stop your clothes becoming wet with breast milk. Remember to change them frequently to prevent an infection.

Expressing some milk may also help. Only express enough to feel comfortable as you do not want to overstimulate your supply.

If your baby has not fed recently, you could offer them a feed as breastfeeding is also about you being comfortable.

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Who Do I Call If I Have Trouble Breastfeeding

If youre having trouble breastfeeding, remember that there are resources available to help you. You can bring up any concerns about breastfeeding to your healthcare provider or your childs pediatrician. They might direct you to a lactation consultant. A lactation consultant is specially trained to help you achieve your goals with breastfeeding and can help you learn new techniques and tricks for breastfeeding. What is breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a natural way to feed your baby. In this method of feeding your baby, they latch on or attach their mouth onto your breast and, through a sucking motion, drink milk made by your body.

Your baby will likely start breastfeeding not long after they’re born, often within the first few hours. At first, your milk supply will be made up of something called colostrum. This is a protein-rich, often thick liquid that helps your baby stay hydrated. Its full of antibodies that also help guard your newborn against infections. Your colostrum will change into mature milk after the first few days of breastfeeding. During this time your baby will lose a bit of weight. This is normal. They will regain it once your milk comes in.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/07/2021.

References

How Often Should I Burp My Baby During Feedings

After your baby finishes on one side, try burping before switching breasts. Sometimes, the movement alone can be enough to cause a baby to burp.

Some infants need more burping, others less, and it can vary from feeding to feeding.

If your baby spits up a lot, try burping more often. While it’s normal for infants to “spit up” a small amount after eating or during burping, a baby should not vomit after feeding. If your baby throws up all or most of a feeding, there could be a problem that needs medical care. If you’re worried that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor.

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Is My Newborn Getting Enough To Eat

New parents often worry about whether their babies are getting enough to eat.

Babies are getting enough to eat if they:

• seem satisfied
• have about 68 wet diapers a day
• have regular bowel movements
• sleep well
• are alert when awake
• are gaining weight

A baby who is fussing, crying, seems hungry, does not appear satisfied after feeding, and has fewer wet diapers may not be getting enough to eat. If you’re concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat, call your doctor.

Most infants “spit up” a small amount after eating or during burping, but a baby should not vomit after feeding. Vomiting after every feeding might be a sign of an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical care. If you have concerns that your baby is spitting up too much, call your doctor.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Breastfeeding

Its common to need help with breastfeeding in the beginning, especially if its your first baby. Most hospitals and health centers have staff who can help you learn and practice breastfeeding.

Disadvantages of breastfeeding include less vaginal lubrication , which can make sex uncomfortable. Using lube can help make sex more comfortable.

There are also many reasons why parents arent able to breastfeed, choose not to breastfeed, or use formula in addition to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding takes a lot of time and energy which may not always be available to you.

Parents may choose not to breastfeed because of:

• Personal choice

• Adoption

• Lack of support in the workplace

Some people have more privilege because of social, economic, and environmental advantages that help make breastfeeding easier. However, some new parents have less privilege and may face systemic issues that create barriers that make it hard or impossible to breastfeed. For example, people of color can have a harder time accessing breastfeeding guidance and support from the health care system. And some people can have a harder time finding the space to pump and save their breast milk at work due to discrimination and/or bias from others because of things like their race, gender identity, or ability status.

Many policies and practices in public spaces and workplaces are improving, but more work is needed to provide better breastfeeding support to parents of newborns, especially parents who face barriers.

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Avoid Using A Dummy Or Pacifier

A dummy or pacifier encourages a different suck to the one required for a good latch on the breast and also takes the place of the breast as main comforter. Try to reduce reliance on a dummy by offering the breast and skin-to-skin contact as the comfort for your baby instead. Letting a baby suck on a clean finger can also help to introduce a baby to the feeling of skin in their mouth as a comforter instead of a silicone teat.

Know That Breast Tenderness Should Subside

Nursing should be relatively pain-free by the end of the first or second week. Some mild tenderness when your baby first latches is within the spectrum of normal, but pain that is severe, lasts more than a few seconds, lasts between feeds or is accompanied by broken or cracked skin, that is not normal and you may need help fixing your infant’s latch. Tools and techniques are available and can help with latch issuesyou shouldn’t have to fight through the pain to feed your infant.

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How Can I Increase My Milk Supply

If you think your baby needs more milk, increase the number of feedings a day. Its important for you to get plenty of rest and eat right. Give your body time to catch up to your babys demands.

Dont replace breast milk with baby formula or cereal. This can make babies lose interest in breast milk. It also will decrease your milk supply. You shouldnt give your baby solid foods until about 6 months of age.